The Yak of the Future (Bos Prodigiosus)
The Yak of the future has many adaptations to survive in the world of tomorrow. It is a very interesting creature and it can survive in the harsh climate of tomorrow. While it is no longer the same species as a modern Yak, it is still commonly known as the Yak (its latin name is Bos prodigiosus)
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Bovidae Genus: Bos Species: B. Prodigiosus Binomial Name: Bos Prodigiosus
Structural Adaptations
The Bos Prodigiosus has many structural adaptations. It differs quite a lot from the old Yak (Bos Grunniens). It still has quite a thick coat, but as a result of global warming, it is not as thick. The under layer is no longer necessary as the air is not cold enough for it. Its lung capacity has shrink as a result of rising sea levels, which means it no longer needs have such a big capacity for carrying air, as the altitude it lives at is no longer that high. It also lost the extra pair of ribs as they were no longer needed. Also, as the yak now roams at lower altitude, the structure of its hoofs have changed slightly as the terrain is no longer so tough to navigate.
Behavioral adaptations
The Yak's behavioral adaptations have changed a lot. Now instead of operating in herds, because of the rapid climate change causing a massive decrease in Yak population, they tend to wander alone. If they come across another Yak, they will sometimes form a partnership. Small herds of 3-5 sill exist, but they are extremely rare. The Bos Prodigiosus is an endangered species. Because of this, its quick reactions to danger are even more pronounced and it is quick to startle. Bos Prodigiosus are now far more likely to run away from a threat than attack it as their ancestors would. Also, the male Yaks no longer fight for dominance as is often no other males around to fight. This is why the horn size has shrunk dramatically (mentioned above). However, they still may fight in small herds so they haven't dissapeared completely. Domestic breeds still exist, however they differ quite a lot from the wild Bos Prodigiosus as they have needed different parts more than others.
Physiological adaptations
One of the main adaptations is the loss of red blood cells. The Bos Grunniens had an unusually high red blood cell count for a bovine of its nature, however the Bos Prodigiosus has a much lower blood cell count as it no longer needs all the red blood cells because of rising sea levels. It also has a much slower metabolism and digestive system. Its ancestors metabolism was already very slow, but this is slower as food is a lot scarcer now, due massive planetary population increase. Most of the grass in the world is used for grazing cows and sheep, leaving very little for other animals. This drove a lot of animals to extinction, but because of the Bos Grunniens slow digestive system, it was able to adapt and evolve to cope with the low food levels. The lungs of the Bos Prodigiosus are also much better at filtering out impurities as a result of high pollution levels. The Yaks which couldn't filter the air were more prone to weakness and sickness and therefore died out leaving only the ones which could filter to pass on their genes.
Habitat
The Bos Prodigiosus still livesin Tibet, However Tibet has changed quite a lot. It is not as cold during the winter, however temperature do normally reach below zero. In summer is is a lot warmer, and the Yaks coat thins out a lot during the summer months. Because of the w
Fig 1: A plain where the Bos Prigiosus may live
armer temperatures, vegetation grows much more easily, however a lot of this land has been used for grazing cattle and sheep, meaning most of the good quality forage isn't available for the Bos Prodigiosus
Fig 2: The type of grass that now grows in Tibet. Mainly used to graze cattle
The Yak of the future has many adaptations to survive in the world of tomorrow. It is a very interesting creature and it can survive in the harsh climate of tomorrow. While it is no longer the same species as a modern Yak, it is still commonly known as the Yak (its latin name is Bos prodigiosus)
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Genus: Bos
Species: B. Prodigiosus
Binomial Name: Bos Prodigiosus
Structural Adaptations
The Bos Prodigiosus has many structural adaptations. It differs quite a lot from the old Yak (Bos Grunniens). It still has quite a thick coat, but as a result of global warming, it is not as thick. The under layer is no longer necessary as the air is not cold enough for it. Its lung capacity has shrink as a result of rising sea levels, which means it no longer needs have such a big capacity for carrying air, as the altitude it lives at is no longer that high. It also lost the extra pair of ribs as they were no longer needed. Also, as the yak now roams at lower altitude, the structure of its hoofs have changed slightly as the terrain is no longer so tough to navigate.
Behavioral adaptations
The Yak's behavioral adaptations have changed a lot. Now instead of operating in herds, because of the rapid climate change causing a massive decrease in Yak population, they tend to wander alone. If they come across another Yak, they will sometimes form a partnership. Small herds of 3-5 sill exist, but they are extremely rare. The Bos Prodigiosus is an endangered species. Because of this, its quick reactions to danger are even more pronounced and it is quick to startle. Bos Prodigiosus are now far more likely to run away from a threat than attack it as their ancestors would. Also, the male Yaks no longer fight for dominance as is often no other males around to fight. This is why the horn size has shrunk dramatically (mentioned above). However, they still may fight in small herds so they haven't dissapeared completely. Domestic breeds still exist, however they differ quite a lot from the wild Bos Prodigiosus as they have needed different parts more than others.
Physiological adaptations
One of the main adaptations is the loss of red blood cells. The Bos Grunniens had an unusually high red blood cell count for a bovine of its nature, however the Bos Prodigiosus has a much lower blood cell count as it no longer needs all the red blood cells because of rising sea levels. It also has a much slower metabolism and digestive system. Its ancestors metabolism was already very slow, but this is slower as food is a lot scarcer now, due massive planetary population increase. Most of the grass in the world is used for grazing cows and sheep, leaving very little for other animals. This drove a lot of animals to extinction, but because of the Bos Grunniens slow digestive system, it was able to adapt and evolve to cope with the low food levels. The lungs of the Bos Prodigiosus are also much better at filtering out impurities as a result of high pollution levels. The Yaks which couldn't filter the air were more prone to weakness and sickness and therefore died out leaving only the ones which could filter to pass on their genes.
Habitat
The Bos Prodigiosus still livesin Tibet, However Tibet has changed quite a lot. It is not as cold during the winter, however temperature do normally reach below zero. In summer is is a lot warmer, and the Yaks coat thins out a lot during the summer months. Because of the w